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The Orlando Magic will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night in the NBA, with the visitors hopeful of claiming an important win in their quest to make the playoffs.
The Magic (11-21, 6-8 home) are playing some of the worst basketball in the NBA at the moment, losing 6 matches in a row and 17 of their last 20! While the Magic were never going to be a playoff team this season, the horrible run is a bit surprising considering the fact that they started well, and have a good group of young players. The Magic are just not playing well, but injuries also contributed to their demise.
The Pelicans (15-16, 7-9 away) are currently the 8th seed in the Western Conference, and will probably be involved in a dogfight for a playoff spot until the end of the regular season. Recent games have been mostly up and down for the Pelicans and they did lose 3 of their last 4, but all losses were against top opposition, away from home. They also had to deal with some injuries to key players recently, but that shouldn`t be the case today.
Bet on Magic vs. Pelicans and claim your 100% (100 Euro) free bet at Ohmbet now!Team news: Ross continues to be unavailable for the Magic, while Gordon, Fournier and Isaac are doubtful – chances are two of them won`t play. As for the Pelicans, Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo are small doubts, but both should start. Ajinka, Hill, Jackson and Allen continue to miss out, but they are fringe players and are all out since a long time.
The Pelicans will view this as a great opportunity to cement their 8th seed spot in the West, and the potential absences of Gordon and / or Fournier for the Magic should make New Orleans’ job easier.
Even if Fournier and Gordon will be cleared to play, and it`s unlikely both of them will, the Magic still don`t look like beating a playoff caliber team at the moment. The chemistry and intensity is just not there – not only is Orlando constantly losing, but they are losing against poor teams, and they often lose big.
New Orleans has been good this season, the Davis – Cousins partnership is starting to work, and the Pelicans would have a better record if not for Davis sitting out some games. He isn`t on the injury report today, so unless something shocking happens, he`ll be ready to play.
At one point the Magic will probably start winning some games, but it seems unlikely for that to happen while they are still shorthanded, and especially not against a solid opponent which needs to fight for every victory.
The Pelicans do have a habit of playing close games on the road, and many of their recent wins came by single digits, so I find the -4.5 handicap on them to be slightly risky – even though I do see them covering it. All in all, I will choose the safer option and bet on the Pelicans to win straight up. Odds on the Pels are currently dropping. Prediction: Orlando Magic – New Orleans Pelicans 105 – 112.
Pick: Pelicans
Odds: 1.54 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 4.32
Event date: 22 December
